X-bit labs

Closer Look at the 19" Monitor Features. Part III (page 14)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 03/30/2005 | 01:45 PM ]

NEC MultiSync LCD1970NX

This model is almost fully identical to the MultiSync LCD1960NXi (see above), as it is based on the same matrix from LG.Philips LCD (there also exists the LCD1960NX model on a PVA matrix from Samsung, but the LCD1970NX always comes on an S-IPS matrix, despite the lack of the “i” index in its name). What distinguishes this model from the previous one is the new design of the case and of the onscreen menu.

Yet I can’t say they have changed the design “dramatically”: the angles are all just meticulously rounded and smoothed, and the appearance of the base has become somewhat less official. I’m sure some users who were previously repelled by the angular exterior of the 1960NXi will find the new design more interesting.

The functionality has remained the same: the base still allows adjusting the height and tilt of the screen; the portrait mode is still unavailable.

Like the previous model, the 1970NX comes with an analog and a digital input; its power adapter is integrated into the case. There’s also a connector marked as “DC OUT” here (you can see it in the top left corner in the snapshot) whose purpose is unclear – it is not mentioned in the manual.

The control buttons now form a separate block under the screen. The most notable innovation is of course the four-positional joystick instead of the four traditional navigation buttons. Unfortunately, the joystick began to stick in the right and bottom positions after about half an hour of my using it, so the onscreen menu became practically unusable – it would take me three or four attempts to get into a desired submenu or set the value of a particular parameter. If it were not for this defect, I would have no complaints about the controls whatsoever (on a condition that you take some time to get used to the joystick). But unable to use the sticky joystick, I had to resort to the NaviSet utility which is supplied on the disc with the monitor and controls the device from Windows using the DDC/CI interface.